24 Sofa Table Ideas to Optimize Your Living Room

What exactly is a sofa table? It’s typically a long and often narrow console table that is positioned against the back of the couch, used for extra storage or display space, or to help ease the transition between zones in a multi-purpose or open plan room.

In a combination living and dining room, a sofa table can help create cohesion and flow between the seating area and the dining space. If the back of your couch is visible upon entry to your living room, a sofa table can be used to make it feel more welcoming, styled with table lamps, books, flowers, or decorative objects. And in a time when working from home is more common than ever, a sofa table with an uncluttered surface and a spare chair can provide a bonus workspace for those who lack a dedicated home office.

Below, we’ve rounded up cool—and practical—sofa table ideas in a range of materials and styles to help make your living room more functional and stylish.

The 9 Best Console Tables of 2023

01 of 24

Keep It Light

Design by Desiree Burns Interiors

If you’re worried about a sofa table making your space feel cluttered, consider going for a lighter colorway. A pale wood tone will offer a breezy feel while still giving you plenty of space for decor or storage.

Continue to 2 of 24 below.
02 of 24

Showcase Souvenirs

Design by Jenn Pablo Studio

Whether you’ve been collecting souvenirs from your travels, you have a decent book collection, or you just have a couple pieces of decor that you want to highlight, a simple sofa table is a great spot to lay out all those carefully curated pieces in one central space.

Continue to 3 of 24 below.
03 of 24

Preserve Sightlines

Britt Design Studio

Britt Design Studio styled the dark wood sofa table in this modern traditional living room with objects on either end, leaving the middle free to preserve the view of the fireplace focal point on the far wall.

Continue to 4 of 24 below.
04 of 24

Flip It Around

@jcdesign1.1 / Instagram

While most sofa tables are positioned at the back of the sofa facing out toward the room, there's no rule that says you can’t place one between your sofa and your living room wall.

Continue to 5 of 24 below.
05 of 24

Create More Seating

Mindy Gayer Design Co, / Photo by Vanessa Lentine

Whether you’re dealing with a smaller space or you have all the square footage in the world to sprawl out, a higher sofa table and a set of stools can help you to change up your seating plan and create some interest in your living room—especially if you regularly have guests or you like to catch up on Netflix while eating dinner or having a drink.

Continue to 6 of 24 below.
06 of 24

Add Hidden Storage

Design by Calimia Home

If your sofa table doesn't have drawers or shelves, tuck some woven baskets underneath that can hide clutter while keeping items easily accessible, such as toys, board games, or extra throw pillows and blankets.

Continue to 7 of 24 below.
07 of 24

Create Flow

@modernhousevibes / Instagram

If you’re looking to create a more harmonious flow in your open living space, a sofa table can create a dialogue between areas and help define zones. Consider picking up a table that is similar in style to your dining room table to give the space between your living and dining areas a bit of cohesion without looking matchy-matchy, and style with objects that are similar in style or color to create cohesion.

Continue to 8 of 24 below.
08 of 24

Show Some Leg

Design by Thomas Guy Interiors

The sofa table is a multi-functional piece of furniture that can make a small space more functional or help define zones in a larger space. Consider a table that’s high enough to fit a couple of ottomans—you’ll be able to perch at your sofa table or pull around extra seating for guests as needed. And depending on your taste and the style of your room, don't be afraid to choose a sofa table that just doesn't blend into the background, but is a decorative piece in its own right, like this turned leg table that looks at home in a formal living room.

Continue to 9 of 24 below.
09 of 24

Mix Materials

Design by Su Casa

In this spacious modern living room, a reclaimed barnwood and metal sofa table helps to define the seating area while blending in with the mix of white, black, and wood tones spread throughout the airy space.

Continue to 10 of 24 below.
10 of 24

Add Some Greenery

Design by Will Brown Interiors

A minimalist space can reap huge benefits from a sofa table—especially if you’re looking to add some greenery to your living room without taking up valuable real estate on a coffee table or side table. Consider picking up a simple, plain table and adorning it with one or two plants for a more lived-in feel.

Continue to 11 of 24 below.
11 of 24

Opt for Thin Legs

KG Designs

A sofa table with slim legs balances the bulky leather couch in this airy modern farmhouse style living room, while the black finish echoes the metal grid windows.

Continue to 12 of 24 below.
12 of 24

Include Lighting

@kjdesignandmortarstyling / Instagram

A sofa table adorned with a pair of visually striking table lamps will offer you the perfect warm glow for curling up with a book on the couch.

Continue to 13 of 24 below.
13 of 24

Divide and Conquer

Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

In this spacious double living room from Marie Flanigan Interiors, a sofa table with a chunky black sculptural base creates a visual break between two distinct seating areas in the all-white space.

Continue to 14 of 24 below.
14 of 24

Make It Substantial

Mindy Gayer Design Co.

Mindy Gayer Design Co. added a chunky pale wood sofa table with a pair of darker wood chairs to this family room in Orange County, California that helps define the seating area and provides an extra workspace for homework or remote work.

Continue to 15 of 24 below.
15 of 24

Add Tall Lamps

Design by Gray Space Interiors

A pair of tall lamps on a sofa table helps define the living room seating area in a spacious open plan new construction Delaware home from Gray Space Interiors. Adding a light source in the center of the large room helps to ensure that it feels balanced and warm once the sun goes down.

Continue to 16 of 24 below.
16 of 24

Ground the Seating Area

Whittney Parkinson Design

In this high-ceilinged living room from Whittney Parkinson Design, a sofa table helps to ground the seating area. A pair of curvy lamps on either end adds light and a sculptural element. The dark table contrasts with the pale upholstery of the sofa, and two cushioned stools add extra storage as well as a place to sit, allowing the sofa table to turn into an extra workspace in a pinch.

Continue to 17 of 24 below.
17 of 24

Dip Dye It

JLA Designs

This New Jersey living room from JLA Designs features a dip dyed wood sofa table that is used as a display space for books, decorative objects, and preserved greenery while adding interest in the neutral room.

Continue to 18 of 24 below.
18 of 24

Back It Up to the Wall

Design by Forbes + Masters

In this contemporary living room from Forbes + Masters, a long slim black sofa table floats between the back of the couch and the wall, providing a stealth workspace that practically disappears when not in use. The table is kept clutter-free, but can also be used for seasonal displays, leaving the coffee table free for objects, drinks, and snacks.

Continue to 19 of 24 below.
19 of 24

Use a Bar Cart

Ballard Designs

If you’re a fan of evening cocktails or entertain frequently, having a designated spot for cocktail hour outside of your precious kitchen space is a game changer. Using a bar cart as a sofa table will ensure that you don’t need to get up to make the second round.

Continue to 20 of 24 below.
20 of 24

Go Farmhouse Style

My 100 Year Old Home

There's no rule that says your sofa table has to be streamlined and linear. My 100 Year Old Home used a decorative vintage-style painted wood table as a sofa table to fit in with the shabby chic modern farmhouse style of the living room. A glass lamp and decorative bottles allow light to flow through.

Continue to 21 of 24 below.
21 of 24

Choose a Glossy Finish

Michelle Berwick Design

A glossy white lacquered sofa table with matching chairs blends seamlessly into the white walls of this neutral-toned living room from Michelle Berwick Design, while offering contrast with the dark gray fabric of the sectional.

Continue to 22 of 24 below.
22 of 24

Give It Some Edge

Artisan Born

A live edge sofa table with a black metal base adds a stylized, organic feel that can work with a range of decor styles, from traditional to modern.

Continue to 23 of 24 below.
23 of 24

Add Pops of Color

Design by Maite Granda

The dark wood sofa table in a Florida living room from interior designer Maite Granda contrasts with the light upholstery and pale wood tones of the accent wall, while a pair of bright red lamps are grouped to one side to provide visual interest and a pop of color.

Continue to 24 of 24 below.
24 of 24

Go Slim

Michelle Berwick Design

In this airy open plan room on a tree farm north of Toronto from Michelle Berwick Design, a slim black sofa table echoes the window panes and creates a link between the adjacent living and dining spaces.